ALLENTOWN: Association for the blind gets grant for equipment

The Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Allentown, recently received a $2,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation.

It will be used to upgrade equipment used in the association's Job Search Skills Development Program.

ABVI executive director Kathy Meckes said the unemployment rate for blind and visually impaired individuals of age to work is 75 percent.

"There are programs which teach vocational skills and provide supportive employment," she said. "However, there is a great need to equip our service recipients with the skills necessary to conduct a successful employment search."